R.C.D. Espanyol 0 – 3 Landgraff United

LGU progressed to the next stage of the Konami Cup this evening with a commanding 3-0 victory against Spanish champions Espanyol.

As early as the 10th minute, Rooijmans stole a yard from his marker and confidently slotted across the face of goal to take his team into the lead. Ten minutes later, his strike partner Peter Lewbrant perfectly showed his team’s “never say die” attitude by pressing the Espanyol fullbacks, pinching the ball in the eighteen-yard box and pushing it past the goalkeeper for two-nil.

LGU’s momentum builds

Landgraff United totally dominated the first half, deflating their opponents’ attacks resulting in a very impressive zero shots on goal for the home team. Miguel Trincado Settier‘s pairing of Hoogstrate and Adinolfi in central defence has been the rock of his team’s recovery from that disappointing early defeat in the first game; with strength, awareness and good communication, this is a first-rate defensive partnership that Settier will do well to keep hold of. With growing crowds and interest in LGU’s Konami Cup, it is surely a matter of time before a more wealthy club comes in with a generous bid for one – or both – of these two.

After the restart LGU came out as they had finished the half, putting pressure on the opposition and challenging for every ball. Unfortunately Lars Jonsson got a little carried away, resulting in a booking for a rash challenge in the 64th minute.
Despite all their good play, LGU didn’t have this game all their own way, and with fifteen minutes to go David Garcia brought down first-time starter Marcel Vanderzyppe. Vanderzyppe was immediately stretchered from the pitch and played no further part in this game; after the game, physios revealed he had torn a hamstring and will be out for eight weeks, ruining his Konami Cup after just an hour and a quarter of play.

Settier’s risky move

With Vanderzyppe injured and an already-weakened bench, Settier was forced to bring William Pierce onto the pitch, despite intentionally resting him from this game to allow him to recuperate. This proved a smart move on Settier‘s part, but had LGU failed to qualify having had their most influential midfielder available but rested, surely Settier would be feeling the heat from the LGU fans.

Back on the pitch, the resulting free kick was some thirty or more yards from goal, and with set piece man Vanderzyppe off the field, LGU were forced to improvise. Delgado tapped the ball across to Lewbrant, who unleashed a wicked curling right-foot shot that totally deceived Kameni in the Espanyol goal, hitting the net inside the top-right corner: another great goal from this rapidly-developing forward, putting him joint second in the competition’s top goalscorer list.

At 3-0 up, LGU were cruising, although four serious goalscoring opportunities within seven minutes proves there was no slacking. Settier has done well to instill a tremendous attitude in his squad, who kept playing right until the final whistle signalled their passage into the elimination stage of the Konami Cup.

It’s been said before, but with a well-rested team on form, LGU could certainly challenge for the top honour in this competition. Finishing second in their group, LGU now come up against Atletico Osasuna in the quarter final stage.

Quarter final: Landgraff United vs. Atletico Osasuna